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ABC News
3 days ago
- General
- ABC News
NeuroRhythm is a group therapy program for brain injury survivors
The NeuroRhythm program, run over the past five weeks, was designed to help provide mental and physical therapy to people with brain injuries.
ABC News
3 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Queensland brain injury survivors connect through rhythm and music program
After suffering a massive stroke at 11 years old, Jordan Carroll has spent years in and out of hospital. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 12, then underwent chemo, radiation therapy, and a drug trial. Over the course of his treatment, Jordan has missed holidays and key milestones, including his year 12 formal and graduation. "Having a brain injury, I don't really fit in with any particular group," he said. For the last five weeks, Jordan has taken part in NeuroRhythm — a group therapy program for brain injury survivors. It combines dance with Djembe drumming to offer participants a space to express themselves and connect with others. "Honestly this is the best thing that's ever happened to me in terms of my social [life]," Mr Carroll said. "I'm surrounded by people with brain injuries themselves. "It's not like when I was at school where I was forced into a group with other people that didn't really understand me that well." Another participant, Tyson Hoy, sustained a severe traumatic brain injury in 2023 after he was hit by a car. He said the program has given him the opportunity to do what he loves and show what people with brain injuries are capable of. "It makes me happy," he said. The program sessions start with meditation, before moving into group dance movements and drumming. Lead program facilitator and researcher Danielle Pretty said the activities focused on providing social connection but also offered a mental workout. "You've got to combine the auditory, the visual, and movement patterns," she said. "It's actually quite tricky to have someone else doing a different rhythm beside you and still maintain what you're doing. "All of that impact on the brain and neuroplasticity, future us would like to be assessing." Physiotherapist Kerry Read helped design the program to be more inclusive than traditional one-on-one therapy. "It's quite unusual that you can do a program where, as a family member, you can come along and do it as well," she said. "Normally you would drop your loved one at therapy and then wait outside. "This is so different — you're there, you're an integral part, so you can actually hang out and have a good time." Ms Read, who attended the program's first and last sessions, said the group showed significant improvements over five weeks. "The changes have blown me away," she said. "Seeing how everyone has progressed has been amazing." Belinda Adams OAM founded NeuroRhythm with funding from the federal government after her son sustained a traumatic brain injury 13 years ago. She felt there was a lack of available resources once he was ready to re-enter the community. "Because it's an invisible disability, it seems to slip through the cracks of the system sometimes," Ms Adams said. "Especially when it comes to arts-based programs and the value that they hold in connection." The NeuroRhythm pilot program concluded with a final performance for friends and family. Ms Adams said she hopes it can continue as an evidence-based study in the future. "It's really been a community effort and we're like a family now I think," Ms Adams said.
